Optimal feeding strategy for juvenile Hucho taimen

Three experiments including starvation and re-feeding,starvation and re-feeding recovery,and feeding frequency per day were conducted to approach the optimal feeding strategy for the growth and survival of juvenile Hucho taimen. In the experiment of starvation and re-feeding,all groups of restricted feeding showed non-compensatory growth. However,in the experiment of starvation and re-feeding recovery,different degrees of compensatory growth appeared in different starving groups,among which,the half a day starvation and half a day feeding group( S1 /2) had a weight increment approximately the same as the control,and showed completely compensatory growth,indicating that the S1 /2could be a useful feeding strategy for the juvenile H. taimen at its early growth stage with the body mass from 0 to 2 g and at the water temperature from 9 to 15. 3 ℃. In feeding frequency experiment,the group T3( three meals per day) had the highest body length,body mass,specific growth rate,and relatively high food conversion ratio,indicating that three meals a day could be more effective for improving the growth performance of juvenile H. taimen at its late stage with the body mass from 2 to 21 g and at the water temperature from 8. 8 to 15. 5 ℃.